Effect

Generation II

In battle

Whirlpool inflicts 1/16 of the target's maximum HP as damage for two to five turns upon use, in addition to the damage dealt when it is used. It also traps the target, preventing switching and escape. If a trapped Pokémon uses Rapid Spin, it will be freed.

Whirlpool has a Power of 15 and an Accuracy of 70.

Outside of battle

Generation III

The effects of Whirlpool are the same as in Generation II, but if a wild Pokémon uses Whirlpool on the player's Pokémon, the player may escape if the affected Pokémon has Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball. However, these do not allow the player to switch the Pokémon out.

Generation IV

In Generation IV, if the user of Whirlpool is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will always be 5 turns. Also, if an affected Pokémon is holding a Shed Shell, it can switch out.

Outside of battle

Generation V

Whirlpool's Power and Accuracy were increased to 35 and 85, and now lasts for four to five turns. In addition, if the user of Whirlpool is holding a Pressure Band, it inflicts 1/8 of the target's maximum HP instead of 1/16 when the target is trapped.

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| colspan="6" | Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move.*Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.
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| colspan="6" | Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move.*Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.
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| colspan="6" | Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move.*Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.
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Piplup's body glows a blueish-white color and it raises its arms and beak to the air. It then opens its beak and a huge whirlpool comes out of it and forms above Piplup. Piplup then throws the whirlpool at the opponent. While in the water, Piplup's body glows multicolored, and a whirlpool forms around it. Piplup can also change the size of the whirlpool by choice.